‘Elvis Lives’ on in touring production slated for Saturday

“Elvis Lives” singer Bill Cherry performs as Elvis Presley in a segment portraying Presley’s concert years era, one of four eras in the singer’s career that is represented in the show, which plays the Phillips Center on Saturday. (Courtesy of On Stage Touring)

By Susan Smiley-HeightStaff writer

Published: Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 12:41 p.m.

Kathy Newborn was 13 when some friends invited her to see Elvis Presley perform in Jacksonville, but it was on a school night so her mother wouldn’t let her go. On Saturday, Newborn, now 54, will be in the front row when “Elvis Lives, The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event” comes to the Phillips Center.

Facts

‘Elvis Lives’

What: Touring production features finalists from the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest performing as Presley in different stages of his career.When: 7:30 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull RoadTickets: $10-$45Contact: 392-2787, www.performingarts.ufl.edu

Newborn, of Gainesville, said she has been an Elvis fan, “Dear God, since age 11.” When she learned the touring show was coming to town, she called within the first minute tickets went on sale and scored great seats. She said her favorite Elvis song is “Suspicious Minds” and her favorite era was the ’68 Comeback Special.

Newborn will be treated to both during the four-segment performance, with Ben Klein kicking it off with Elvis’ hits from the 1950s era, such as “That’s All Right Mama,” which put a teenage truck driver on an arc to a legacy that remains vibrant 35 years after his death.

For the Hollywood segment, Kevin Mills steps into the King’s shoes to deliver some of the movie tunes millions fell in love with, and to. He will be joined by Lori Russo, who will bring Ann-Margret to the stage in the “Viva Las Vegas” role of Rusty Martin to give the audience a sense of the sizzle that happened when Elvis starred opposite her as Lucky Jackson.

“We’ll be doing four duets,” Russo said. “Our segment has the most production in the show.”

She said it will include signing and dancing to tunes such as “What’d I Say” and “C’mon Everybody.”

“This is a different aspect,” Russo said. “It’s nostalgic, to see them on stage together. It’s good energy, a good time, with an underlying romantic quality.”

After intermission, Leo Days will perform as Elvis in what was supposed to be a Christmas television special sponsored by Singer, but which turned out to be the iconic show best known as the “’68 Comeback Special.” This is where Elvis alternately wowed his audience by looking daring in black leather, and preacher-like in a white suit. The show restored Elvis’ confidence and proved he could hold his own against the performers of the day.

“I’ll be doing songs like ‘Trouble’ and ‘If I Can Dream,’” said Days. “In the black leather, he was a rock ’n’ roll rebel. The white suit has audiences gasping; that clean look. I like the contrast.”

In the concert years segment, Bill Cherry said he will “wear jumpsuits, like in ‘Aloha From Hawaii.’ I’ll do ‘Burning Love’ and ‘Suspicious Minds.’

“It’s a very exciting show. Each segment is like a new show; new guys, new songs. It’s live music, singers, big screens... I want people to go away with a smile on their face.”

Cherry said he began “doing” Elvis in his room at a very young age. In 2008, when he was working as a welder in a steel mill, he was laid off. Friends and family members encouraged him to enter Elvis tribute artist contests and he quickly ascended to the top. He has made a living as an ETA ever since. This will be his third tour with Elvis Lives.

“This whole show is meant to keep Elvis’ memory alive in a respectful way, to honor him. It’s like you get to play your hero and everyone plays along and, for that moment, it’s overwhelming. I’m really blessed,” Cherry said.

“Elvis Lives” general manager Barbara Cooley said the tour will cover the U.S. and go into Canada before it ends in California in May. The Gainesville show is the first of the tour, followed in Florida by performances in St. Pete, Key West, Sarasota, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.

“This is totally different from traditional tribute shows. It’s a total production, with sound, video, dancers,” Cooley said, adding that Elvis himself would appear via video.

Anita Bass-White of Summerfield will attend the show with her husband’s mother and her husband from Orlando, and her “Elvis buddy” Denise Lambert from Gainesville.